The second Southdowns Folk Festival brings national and international roots acts to Sussex for one of the last music festivals of summer. Bognor Regis will be buzzing as organiser Roger Nash welcomes headliners Oysterband, Dervish, Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies Dave Swarbrick & Martin Carthy to town.

Last year he revived the festival which flourished in the Eighties, bringing over 15,000 visitors to the town for three days of seaside folk and fun. This year the festival will run from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28. The main venue will be The Regis Centre’s Alexandra Theatre on the seafront, and a weekend ticket for just £56 will give entry to no less than five separate afternoon and evening concerts as well as a host of free music and dance events on two stages in nearby Hotham Park including appearances by BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Best Emerging Act winners Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar and nominees Pilgrims’ Way (Tom Kitching, Lucy Wright and Edwin Beasant).

Other main acts include Megson, Colvin Quarmby, The Jigantics, Legacy and Flossie Malavialle. There will also be free events at The Regis Centre including afternoon Folk Clubs, music sessions, a variety of music workshops plus Clog, Appalachian and Morris dancing with a superb dance programme taking place around the town on Saturday and Sunday.

The newly re-opened William Hardwicke pub in the High Street will be presenting the hugely talented Canadian swing/Americana band My Sweet Patootie (left) on Saturday evening as well as free music sessions.

Another highlight will be the finals of the Sussex Young Folk Competition which was clinched last year by Aimee Mackenzie withher younger sister Freya and brother Ross, who also appear this year. Since their win Aimee and her siblings have supported Show of Hands and other leading folk acts.

Plus a craft show, food stalls, a real ale bar and children’s entertainment. Tickets